Page 101 of Let Us Prey
Since that’s not an unappealing scenario in the least, it takes me a minute to squeeze myself into the winter garb before looking in the mirror. The damned outfit fits perfectly, despite the style looking out of place on me.
Dragons aren’t meant for sportswear. It’s undignified.
“Flames, get out here!”
Smiling to myself, I walk into the room to find Rennie hopping around as he wiggles into his version of our ‘team uniform.’ The basic elements match, but his sweatshirt is black where mine is a bright emerald. His tail is whipping back and forth, and I give him a knowing smirk. He refuses to confirm the talisman he wears allows his clothing to shift with him, but I’m neither naïve, nor stupid. Gargoyles have some sort of relationship with magic, and whatever it is must be forbidden to talk about.
But he is in a talkative mood…
“Look at the outfit I got for Dolly,” he says once he gets situated, and I pinch the bridge of my nose.
For fuck’s sake…
Rennie yanks a baby pink snowsuit with a fur-trimmed hood out of the bag ,and I bark a laugh. I’m not sure what exactly flipped his switch with Dolly, but this form-fitting outfit makes it very clear where his brain is. My lips curve when I consider how our curvy rabbit will look in it—it’s an adorable visual, and I curse under my breath when I realize I don’t have a squishy in my jacket pocket.
Dropping Delores’ suit on the wide nest in the middle of his bedroom, he winks and reaches into a drawer, tossing me a sparkly unicorn. “I take it you like it, huh?”
I narrow my eyes at him, huffing, but I accept the stupidly cute toy and I shrug. “I’m sure it will look good on her.”
“Uh-huh,” he replies with a smug smirk. “I’m sure it will.”
“Fuck, Rennie, let’s go downstairs before they drag Dolly up to the top floor and ruin the Christmas surprise the Captain’s working on.”
His eyes widen, and he grabs the other bags. “Yes! We have to keep them from seeing it before it’s ready. C’mon!”
Chuckling to myself, I follow my friend, closing the door behind us. I hope to hell that Dolly and the others are ready for manic Rennie.
It’s going to be a very interesting day.
FIFTY-FIVE
Santa Baby
Delores
Waking up in the Christmas Village decor of the Tower is surreal. Lucille always had professionals tastefully decorate the house for the holidays, but she and Bruno typically did exactly what they’re doing this year—yeeted themselves to whatever resort was in vogue. I always stayed home with Mattie, opening the presents Lucille made her pick out, pretending I didn’t realize my parents preferred being photographed by the pupperazzi to spending time with me on Christmas.
I know, I know. Poor little rich girl, right? It still hurts knowing I was little more than a walking, talking accessory.
“Pssssst, Cherry, are you awake? If you could just wiggle a little more to the left… I have a big present for you.”
A big forearm flies over Nico and smacks Bash in the back of the head. I giggle, feeling brave in this weird nest Aubrey made last night that has everyone in the middle of the sitting room. I grab the hand quickly, giving it a squeeze. To my delight, Cash squeezes back before he pulls away.
It’s a Christmas miracle.
“Not cool, bro. Nico, tell them to quit picking on me!”
The rumpled fox stretches, his bare chest making my tummy flutter as usual. When he opens his eyes, he gives his beta a shrug. “You deserve it.”
Bash pouts at me and I shake my head as well. Finally, he glares past me to the other two. “C’mon, spicy lizard, rock man… back me up.”
“Sebastian, perhaps you’d find more support if you weren’t always running your mouth,” Aubrey says as he looks over at the wolf.
Renard pops his head up from the other side of him, nodding. “It’s true. You make it very difficult.”
“Fine! Whatever.”
I smile at his petulance, stretching to place a light kiss on his lips. “Don’t pout—it’s Christmas. There are presents... "
